Coronavirus Updates from NIEHS

Falk Memorial Lecture focuses on how inflammation ends – April 2022

Charles Serhan described the biological mechanisms that are key to stopping runaway inflammation, which is linked to many diseases.

Language justice boosts worker safety, empowers people, experts say – April 2022

The NIEHS Worker Training Program has adopted a multilingual approach to advance communities’ environmental, occupational health.

2022 NIEHS Spirit Lecture honoree recognized for diversity efforts – April 2022

Marie A. Bernard, M.D., discussed the science behind scientific workforce diversity during her March 2 virtual lecture.

Educational tool highlights COVID-19 and arsenic research – March 2022

NIEHS-funded researchers teamed up with high school teachers to create a digital resource that encourages students to think like scientists.

Purifying SARS-CoV-2 proteins may produce targeted therapies – March 2022

NIEHS researchers have developed a simple protocol to produce pure and high quantities of two proteins required for the replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

2021 Papers of the Year – January 2022

Of 3,942 publications by NIEHS researchers and grantees in 2021, institute leaders selected 35 as Papers of the Year.

Hazards of Disaster Cleanup, Support for Workers Focus of NIEHS Talk – January 2022

A consortium funded by the institute’s Worker Training Program helps crews stay safe in the aftermath of climate-related emergencies.

Wastewater-based Epidemiology Comes of Age During Pandemic – January 2022

Wastewater sampling provides noninvasive, cost-effective tool for tracking disease prevalence and spread, say experts at NIEHS event.

Artist Uses Tribal Symbolism, Traditions to Communicate Science – November 2021

Artist Mallery Quetawki and NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) scientists are turning complex environmental health concepts into meaningful images for Native American communities.

Outstanding Achievement, Effort by NIEHS Staff Honored During Ceremony – November 2021

Scientific accomplishments, staff dedication, and perseverance during COVID-19 pandemic celebrated at institute’s annual event.

Coping With Grief and Loss During COVID-19 Focus of Webinar – October 2021

The NIEHS Women’s Health Awareness program hosted the September 9 event, which featured insights from grief expert Alesia Alexander.

SARS-CoV-2 Nonstructural Proteins a Target for Antiviral Measures – October 2021

NIEHS scientists determined that the SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15 (Nsp15) relies on recognition of the nucleoside uridine to cleave viral RNA and evade detection by the host immune system.

Whole Person Health, COVID-19 Research Hot Topics at Council Meeting – October 2021

Whole person health, innovative COVID-19 research, and efforts to enhance diversity both in study populations and the scientific workforce were some of the topics discussed during the September 13 meeting of the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council (NAEHSC).

Wildfire Smoke Linked to Increase in COVID-19 Cases and Deaths – October 2021

Thousands of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the western U.S. may be attributable to increases in fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) from wildfires, according to NIEHS-funded research.

New Insights Into How COVID-19 May Damage the Heart – July 2021

A new study by NIEHS-funded researchers provides insight into how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, damages heart cells. The findings may inform treatment strategies to protect heart health in COVID-19 patients.

Environment Plays Underappreciated Role in Infectious Diseases – July 2021

National Academies workshop explored how emerging scientific tools could help to inform crises beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

NIH Disaster Research Response Program Launches New Website – June 2021

NIEHS is providing a new home for the Disaster Research Response (DR2) program and its vast collection of web-based resources needed for scientists to conduct vital and timely public health research in the aftermath of disasters.

Sharon Beard Recognized by American Industrial Hygiene Association – June 2021

Sharon Beard, Acting Chief of the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) has received the 2021 Rachel Carson Award from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

New Marker of COVID-19 Severity Points to Potential Therapies – June 2021

Certain fatty acids in the blood of COVID-19 patients may predict the severity of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and offer a target for treatment, according to a new NIEHS-funded study.

New NIH Funding Advances COVID-19 Testing – May 2021

Four new Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), issued April 13, will move a program called RADx(SM) Underserved Populations (RADx[SM]-UP) rapidly into its next phase.

COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery for Workers, Communities – May 2021

In April, NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) awardees began work on COVID-19 recovery centers to promote health, safety, and recovery training for essential workers and their communities.

Scholars Find New Ways to Research Amidst a Global Pandemic – May 2021

Members of the 2020-2021 NIEHS Scholars Connect Program (NSCP) presented their research at the April 16 Spring Symposium.

Biomarker Suggests Severity of COVID-19 Respiratory Distress – May 2021

In a study funded in part by NIEHS, researchers reported April 1 that certain fatty acids in the blood of COVID-19 patients may predict the severity of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

NIEHS Earns WELL Building Rating, First Among Feds – May 2021

On March 30, NIEHS became the first U.S. federal agency to achieve the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) Health-Safety Rating.

Freezer donations add COVID-19 vaccine storage capacity in North Carolina – April 1, 2021

On March 16, NIEHS shipped 11 ultracold laboratory-grade freezers to the North Carolina (NC) Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), thanks to a grassroots project from within the institute's Office of Management.

Organs-on-a-chip for COVID-19 Research Group Led by NTP Center – March 1, 2021

Federal agencies collaborate on microphysiological systems to accelerate development of new treatments.

Fighting Misinformation, Preventing Workplace COVID-19 Exposure – March 1, 2021

The NIEHS Worker Training Program’s monthly COVID-19−focused webinars aim to protect workers who may be at risk of exposure.

A Tool for Visualizing County-level COVID-19 Risk Factors – March 1, 2021

The COVID-19 Pandemic Vulnerability Index (PVI) Dashboard, created by NIEHS researchers and collaborators at North Carolina State University and Texas A & M University, addresses knowledge gaps in pandemic risk at the county level.

Pandemic Vulnerability Tool Provides County-level Snapshots – February 1, 2021

Visualizations of 12 risk factors support localized public health interventions to stem the pandemic’s spread.

COVID-19 Testing Staff Greeted With Tasty Thanks – February 1, 2021

In a grassroots effort, Division of the National Toxicology Program volunteers surprised testers with an edible expression of gratitude.

Global Health in the COVID-19 Era Explored at Local Conference – January 1, 2021

Health system preparedness, equity of access, culture, and misinformation challenges dominate discussions.

COVID-19 Impacts on Children With Special Needs, Their Families – January 1, 2021

Diversity Speaker Series features NIEHS parents sharing how young people with disabilities and their families are dealing with the crisis.

Climate Change, COVID-19 a Double Whammy for Vulnerable Populations – November 1, 2020

Extreme weather can worsen health problems for poor communities and minority groups battling COVID-19, said experts at NIEHS event.

Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Likely, Say Experts – October 1, 2020

National Academies workshop brings clarity to a key question underpinning the global pandemic’s spread.

COVID-19 Research Funding Targets Role of Genes, Environment – October 1, 2020

NIEHS and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases seek to understand why ome people are more vulnerable to the disease.

NIEHS Pandemic Vulnerability Tool a Hit in Wake County School – October 1, 2020

New lesson plans enhance students’ critical thinking skills by encouraging them to assess various COVID-19 risk factors.

SARS-CoV-2 Blocked by Newly Discovered Nanobodies — From a Llama – October 1, 2020

Antibody fragments that blocked the novel coronavirus from entering human cells show promise for treating COVID-19, yet need more study.

Computational Modeling Identifies Drug Candidates for SARS-CoV-2 – October 1, 2020

Scientists from the Division of the National Toxicology Program and their collaborators used computational modeling to probe databases and identify existing drugs that could be repurposed to fight SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

COVID-19 Safety Plan Brought All Hands on Deck at NIEHS – October 1, 2020

Behind-the-scenes efforts ensured employees can return safely to work and have resulted in zero on-site transmissions.

Sleep Well During the Pandemic – September 1, 2021

Jackson shared practical tips for getting adequate, restful sleep during the pandemic on the NIH #CopingWithCOVID19 livestream series.

Pandemic Preparedness Requires Weather, Health Data, Experts Say – September 1, 2020

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists discussed how to bolster infectious disease modeling during an NIEHS webinar.

NIEHS Supports Workers With Essential COVID-19 Training – September 1, 2020

Health care professionals and vulnerable populations benefit from targeted education.

Virtual COVID-19 Education Reaches U.S. and International Students – September 1, 2020

An NIEHS grant recipient started a new teaching series at Johns Hopkins University that helps youth protect themselves and others.

COVID-19 Antibody Study Launched by NIEHS – August 1, 2020

Year-long research project seeks much-needed information about antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 Testing Technologies Boosted by New Funding – August 1, 2020

NIH supports diagnostic test research, including $1 million to NIEHS scientists Oswaldo Lozoya and Douglas Bell.

NIEHS Biomedical Career Symposium Attracts National Audience – August 1, 2020

Early-career scientists gained insight from leaders in industry, government, and academia during the virtual event.

NIEHS Employees Unite to Support Food Drive – August 1, 2020

Annual food drive goes virtual, meeting needs greater than ever, during coronavirus pandemic.

Teachers Take Virtual Tour of NIEHS, Brainstorm COVID-19 Lesson Plans – August 1, 2020

The institute hosted 55 educators from Wake County, North Carolina, as part of the annual SummerSTEM program.

COVID-19 Research Grants Get Rapid NIEHS Funding – May 1, 2020

New opportunities for scientists to study how the environment may affect health outcomes related to the disease.

NIEHS Scientists Join the Fight Against COVID-19 – May 1, 2020

Across the institute, researchers are lending their expertise to the fight against the novel coronavirus.

COVID-19 Researchers Gain Quick Access to Surveys, Protocols – May 1, 2020

Ready access to survey questionnaires, study protocols, and other resources makes for quick study launch and more consistent data.

NIEHS Cryo-EM Resources Support Fight Against Novel Coronavirus – April 1, 2020

NIEHS research on the virus aims to reveal structures suitable for targeted development of potential vaccines and treatments.

Protecting Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak – April 1, 2020

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NIEHS Worker Training Program showcased strategies to protect frontline workers, during a virtual workshop.